March 2016
The automotive industry has reached an inflection point and the entire manufacturing value chain will need to change the way it traditionally does business to remain profitable and be prepared for a future downturn. Here’s why.
Planned downtime for preventive maintenance in the welding operation is not time wasted. Here are some crucial maintenance tips that help optimize MIG gun performance, keep production flowing smoothly and avoid unplanned downtime.
How do you choose the appropriate laser for your marking applications? Here are several factors that must be considered and how they impact the end results.
As aluminum costs drop, the material is finding new applications that push the envelope on how much of this metal can be used in the structural makeup of a vehicle – with no end in sight.
When choosing the best saw for cutting aluminum it’s important to consider your application. While both circular and band saw methods can effectively cut aluminum, it pays to weigh all of these factors before deciding which saw is best for your operation.
This shop welded the seam and cut 100 million holes in 12,100 torches – in six months. That’s not all. Check out the automotive parts they’re making.
OEM compatible, field-replacement CO2 laser lenses from Laser Research Optics are ideal for popular lasers used for fabricating air vents, filters, signs and related applications.
How do you choose the appropriate laser for your marking applications? Here are several factors that must be considered and how they impact the end results.
Quality assurance and in-process monitoring are essential to move additive manufacturing from making prototypes into first-class shop production. Here’s how it works.
Because customers, suppliers and employees change more frequently than in the past, the use of Confidentiality Agreements is growing as manufacturers protect their intellectual property in materials development, automation, fabrication and machining processes, and other trade secrets that are not patented. Here are some points to consider when asking for and receiving protection under Confidentiality Agreements.
The new plant in Sweden will do rapid prototyping, manufacturing and repair of components in industrial gas turbines for the power industry.
Shops cannot ignore how additive manufacturing may disrupt parts of the metals supply chain.
ITA moves to open its use in valves, pipes, fittings and heat exchangers in oil and gas applications.
Lagging is in demand at power plants, nuclear power sites, paper mills, steel mills, refineries and other facilities.
Here’s why accurate control of the torch to work distance during all phases and types of plasma cutting operations can be the key to dramatic improvements in cut quality, consumable life, as well as productivity and throughput of the cutting machine.
New powertrain components. More sensors and electronics parts. Increasing part complexity. Difficult to cut materials. Faster delivery. How do automotive suppliers navigate to profitability through this stormy sea of lightweighting and driverless cars?
Because customers, suppliers and employees change more frequently than in the past, the use of Confidentiality Agreements is growing as manufacturers protect their intellectual property in materials development, automation, fabrication and machining processes, and other trade secrets that are not patented. Here are some points to consider when asking for and receiving protection under Confidentiality Agreements.
The Ferrari-powered Haas VF-16 has been revealed to the world at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya.
Okuma explains how to offset a projected increase in energy costs of $21,541 in just one year.
ITA moves to open its use in valves, pipes, fittings and heat exchangers in oil and gas applications.
High strength galvanized steel is an excellent material to help automotive manufacturers build lighter-weight vehicles, but it can present some challenges that make it difficult to weld.
For auto body shops or tractor repair facilities to effectively keep up with the new demands being driven by fuel economy mandates and remain profitable, they must invest in easy to use equipment that is capable of welding both steel and aluminum.
This shop welded the seam and cut 100 million holes in 12,100 torches – in six months. That’s not all. Check out the automotive parts they’re making.
Planned downtime for preventive maintenance in the welding operation is not time wasted. Here are some crucial maintenance tips that help optimize MIG gun performance, keep production flowing smoothly and avoid unplanned downtime.
Because customers, suppliers and employees change more frequently than in the past, the use of Confidentiality Agreements is growing as manufacturers protect their intellectual property in materials development, automation, fabrication and machining processes, and other trade secrets that are not patented. Here are some points to consider when asking for and receiving protection under Confidentiality Agreements.
Kemper supplies all of the occupational safety equipment, including welding cabins, fume extraction and filter systems.
Removing the fumes from the area is only the beginning of the process. How you filter the fume is just as critical to achieve successful results.
Although the effect of various elements in filler metals can be rather complex, a review of their general properties can also help welding operators determine which filler metal is ideal for the job. It is important to consider the properties needed in a completed weld when making the filler metal selection.
Welding stainless remains complicated. Besides paying close attention to heating and cooling the stainless, the filler metal must be properly matched to the base metal with electrodes of the same grade.
Automotive suppliers are searching for new metalworking fluids to help them reduce their manufacturing costs and improve the processing of tough new metals and alloys under stricter environmental regulations. Here are some of the latest products for them to consider.
With delivery systems that include pinpoint stream, flexible reach, precise control, wide spray and soak, the Power of Five from WD-40 is a must-have in your maintenance shop.
Through less downtime replacing fluid, less wear and fewer tool replacements, this breakthrough fluid formulation helps machines produce more parts and generate higher revenue over the life of the equipment.
Sparks may be unavoidable in your operations, but fires are not. Effective spark arrestance and fire suppressant technologies can dramatically reduce your potential fire risks. Here’s how.
A revolution is taking place in automotive braze removal, where Type 1 cotton fiber wheels are exponentially impacting smooth operations, shrinking costs and negating operating downtime.
Shops that produce engine blocks, heads, cam shafts and crank shafts for powertrains were once plagued with the challenge of removing burrs created by machining. Not anymore.
The automotive industry has reached an inflection point and the entire manufacturing value chain will need to change the way it traditionally does business to remain profitable and be prepared for a future downturn. Here’s why.
The old saying “it won’t make chips – not worth it” doesn’t apply anymore. Considering the accelerating pace of change in technology and the relentless competition your shop faces, how can you possibly afford not to use a presetter?
Because customers, suppliers and employees change more frequently than in the past, the use of Confidentiality Agreements is growing as manufacturers protect their intellectual property in materials development, automation, fabrication and machining processes, and other trade secrets that are not patented. Here are some points to consider when asking for and receiving protection under Confidentiality Agreements.
CAM and PLM software users can now access and share tool classification, class drawings and pictures through the Generic Tool Catalog.
ITA moves to open its use in valves, pipes, fittings and heat exchangers in oil and gas applications.
This high-intensity, multidirectional lighting camera technology makes easy imaging of challenging part features on machined heads to provide a clear advantage for this automotive supplier.
Alloys from lighter-weight metals like aluminum, titanium and magnesium have chemical compositions that must be verified to ensure the absence of tramp elements that can lead to significant problems. This groundbreaking inspection technology identifies the amount of each element in an alloy – right on the shop floor.
One automotive powertrain supplier uses this mobile inspection workstation from Creform for inspection, process and part checks, and the fulfillment of paperwork right at their stamping machines – right near the point where a quality check makes the most sense and can have the greatest impact.